Exploding Helicopter

“Wait a minute, didn’t Snow White have seven dwarves?” Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to find out what happens when you cross a buddy cop film with a Bollywood musical when they review Dhoom 2 (2006) . They discuss the film’s over the top action sequences, dance numbers, and its chaotic efforts to incorporate every known genre (except horror) into one movie. And, of course,...

“How much is an Arabian horse?” On this show Will is joined, once again, by Dara to look at the biographical war drama Lone Survivor (2013) starring Mark Wahlberg. They discuss the film’s brutal depiction of conflict, whether this is biography or hagiography, before swerving off for an examination of Mark Wahlberg’s musical career. And, as always, there’s a review of the film’s exploding helicopte...

“All this? For an over-sized crocodile?” On this special episode Exploding Helicopter travels back in time to 1959 to look at the very first film to feature an exploding helicopter: Behemoth The Sea Monster aka The Giant Behemoth. To review this historic moment, Will is joined by Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday . They discuss the film’s creature feature thrills, the odd chemistry between the s...

“The prince of Venezuela. Who do you think I mean?” Joining Will in the jail of his own creation (the Exploding Helicopter podcast) is Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday. They’ve been locked up behind microphones to review the military prison flick The Last Castle (2001) . They take a look at the film and its over-elaborate exploding helicopter. Episode 70. Show notes The Last Castle (2001) Direc...

“I’m sorry, I don’t speak English.” On this show Will is joined Nick Rehak from French Toast Sunday to review the infamous action adventure SAHARA (2005) . They discuss how and why this film became one of Hollywood’s most notorious flops, the surreal plot, and a unique exploding helicopter. Episode 69.

“Expect the unexpectable.” On this show Will and Dara abandon Hollywood for Wakaliwood and Uganda’s very first action film, the cult sensation, Who Killed Captain Alex? (2010) . They discuss the filmmakers unique take on action cinema, the genius of the video jockey, and try to work out exactly who did kill Captain Alex? They also look at the exploding helicopter action which could be the best or...

“I now pronounce you man and knife” We’re joined by Heather Baxendale-Walsh from the MILFcast to review action ensemble extraordinaire The Expendables 2 (2012). Among the topics of conversation, the series’ fluctuating tone, what today’s teenagers make of 70-something action stars, and who the hell is going to be in a future Expendables reboot.  They also look at the film’s exceptional exploding h...

“I said, goddamn what a rush.” On this show Will is joined by Jeanette Ward from The Mundane Adventures of a Fangirl to review one of the all-time great exploding helicopter films, Broken Arrow (1996) . They discuss the film’s “Woo quotient”, John Travolta’s extraordinary performance before taking a little detour to discuss classic nineties erotic serial The Red Shoe Diaries. They also examine the...

“Dinner out is a go.” On this show Will and Dara carry out an in depth interrogation of Spy Game (2001). Among the topics of discussion, when does your relationship status justify a prison break, Tony Scott’s hyperkinetic directing, and whether the craft of espionage is just opening your eyes and looking at stuff. They also discuss a chopper fireball that deserves to be in the exploding helicopter...

“I have a message for New York. Central Park is mine.” On this show, Exploding Helicopter is looking back at the Rambo inspired Eighties curio THE PARK IS MINE (1986) . Tommy Lee Jones plays a troubled Vietnam veteran who launches an armed takeover of Central Park after he’s pushed too far. Joining Will to review the film is Rich Nelson from the Betamax Video Club . They discuss the film’s First B...

“The password is big blue wrecking crew” On this show we’re joined by author, podcaster and bad film aficionado Ti Singh to review American Ninja 4: The Annihilation (1990) . Among the exciting topics of discussion, villains without a plan, expert marksmen who can’t shoot straight, and the majesty of Steve James (who isn’t even in this sequel). Oh yes, we talk about it all and more, including the...

“Try to stay dead this time.” On this show Will and Dara attempt to unscramble the DNA of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s sci-fi thriller, The 6th Day (2000) . Along the way they decode the film’s surprisingly solid science fiction ideas, ponder Arnie’s Noughties film career, and the strange documentary career of Michael Rapaport. And they of course dissect the film’s futuristic exploding helicopter scene...

“Were you expecting an exploding pen?” On this mini-episode, Will takes a look at Skyfall (2012), the last James Bond movie to feature an exploding helicopter. Episode 61.

"Never get out of the boat." In a break from the usual programming, Will travels upriver alone on this show to review Apocalypse Now (1979) .  On the journey, he considers how the film's uncanny parallels to a package holiday - albeit, one with a little light homicide thrown in. Episode 60.

“Next time we’ll take a cruise.” On this show Will is joined by Doug Tilley from Eric Roberts Is The Man to review the bizarre faith-based martial arts movie Lasko: Death Train (2005) . The film sees its hero, a peace-seeking monk, recruited into a secret paramilitary group dedicated to protecting the church. Along the way he has to fight terrorists, a deadly virus, and some truly horrendous dubbi...

“Band aids and butterbeans, we’re online.” On this show Will is joined by DJ Valentine from Simplistic Reviews to review the new Netflix action-comedy Game Over, Man! (2018). Among the topics of discussion, the film’s Die Hard pastiche, what on earth Daniel Stern is doing in this, the off-colour humour, and – of course – the exploding helicopter action.  Episode 58.

“Is this moron number one? Put moron number two on the phone.” On this show Will forcibly escorts Dara to the end of the podcast in the hope of collecting a bounty as they review Midnight Run (1988) .  Along the way the pair bicker then bond as they discuss Robert De Niro’s comedy chops, why you can never remake Eighties films, and all the exploding helicopter action.  Episode 57.

“Everything’s easier in a mini-skirt.” In a break with the usual programming, Will carries out his first ever solo review by looking at the Renny Harlin helmed propaganda film 5 Days Of War (2011). Starring Val Kilmer and Andy Garcia the film tells the story (or at least one side of it) of plucky Georgia and its heroic efforts to resist a Russian invasion. There are horror-inducing cameos, terribl...

“I was born into a world you may not understand.” On this show Will and Dara suck the blood out of Milla Jovovich’s sci-fi vampire flick Ultraviolet (2006). They discuss the film’s strange use of visual effects, vampires that don’t act like vampires, and the music career of Milla Jovovich. They also take a look at Ultraviolet’s spectacular exploding helicopter action which involves 'Midriff' Jovov...

“Whose pyjamas are these?” On this show Will is joined by Troy-Jeffrey Allen from Action A Go Go to talk about Ant Man (2015). They take a dive into the characters comic book history, discuss where it fits in Marvel’s recent output, and review the unique exploding helicopter sequence (even though Troy completed missed it). Episode 54.

“I don't think you understand, these boys killed my dog.” On this show Will and Dara take a look at assassination conspiracy thriller Shooter (2007) starring Mark Wahlberg and Danny Glover. Among the topics of debate: Mark Wahlberg’s controversial disguise, Danny Glover’s teeth, and does this film contain one of the poorest helicopter explosions we’ve yet seen. Episode 53.

“Looks like we just woke the dead.” Will is joined by his regular shambling, brain dead sidekick Dara to take a look at big budget zombie action spectacular World War Z (2013). Among the topics of discussion: the film’s toothless approach to gore, it’s controversially re-shot ending, and a rare, zombie-related exploding helicopter. Episode 52.

“Get me some coffee. Half and half. Three sweet'n’lows. In a real cup.” Will is joined by occasional Exploding Helicopter sidekick and self-confessed action movie luddite Joe Clift to discuss Olympus Has Fallen (2013). They talk about the villain’s curious politics, Gerard Butler’s head-stabbing antics while Joe tries to recall if he’s ever watched Die Hard. And as always the pair look at the film...

“Whatever happens, we’ll always remember our silver wedding anniversary.” On this show Will takes Dara hostage in order to review the 1980s action classic The Delta Force (1986). Among the topics of discussions: the film’s surprisingly accurate dramatisation of a real-life airplane hijacking, how on earth the cast stars four Oscar winners, and the weird incompetence of America's 'elite' special fo...

“If you lie to me I hurt you.” On this show Will is joined by Ben Dadds from Top Film Tip for an enhanced interrogation of Zero Dark Thirty (2012). They unpick the controversy around the film’s depiction of torture, what story Kathryn Bigelow was trying to tell, and a considered discussion as to who among the cast wears the worst wig. They also examine the film’s exploding helicopter action which...